Rose-Colored Glasses

by Megan Fatheree

  “If it's okay with you,” Quinn started, “I'd like to have that date we missed due to...extenuating circumstances.”

  Rosie smiled at him. “As long as we aren't interrupted by a middle-eastern spy. I'm not ready for that to happen again.” Quinn and Lorrander's explanation had been more than enough evidence that she had been the one in the wrong on that one. She had apologized for misunderstanding, and had been forced to accept Quinn's apology for letting it happen in the first place.

  “I promise.” Quinn crossed his heart with his index finger. “Pretty sure Lorrander picked her up for acts of terrorism, anyway.”

  The words were barely out of his mouth when Emily attacked Rosie with a hug.

  Rosie lifted an arm to half-hug one of the arms wrapped tightly around her shoulders. “Good to see you, too, Emily.”

  Emily pulled up a chair and perched in between Quinn and Rosie. “I heard what happened. I cannot believe the two of you didn't say anything! And, Quinn, you're totally forgiven for any trespasses you may have committed prior to saving my girl's life.” She nudged her shoulder against Rosie's.

  Quinn shook his head with a laugh. “Emily, shouldn't you be dancing with your date?”

  Emily waved a hand in dismissal. “We've been dancing. It was time to take a break, so I figure I should spend it with two of my most favorite people on the planet!” She put a hand to her mouth and glanced between the two. “Unless, of course, I'm interrupting something important.”

  “Well...” Quinn said.

  Rosie shrugged. “Yeah. Little bit.”

  Emily began to stand. “I'm so sorry! I'll be back later.”

  “Thanks, Emily,” Quinn said with a nod.

  Rosie put a hand on Emily's arm. “I never got to say it, but thanks for praying for me. Through the whole thing.”

  Emily smiled down at her. “It was my pleasure. Glad you finally came to see things my way.” She trotted off and intercepted Sam as he was walking toward Quinn and Rosie. She pointed at Quinn and Rosie, then proceeded to use over-exaggerated arm movements to tell Sam what was going on.

  Sam seemed to take it all in stride, nodding at first in patient understanding, and then putting an arm around her shoulders and steering her across the room, away from Quinn and Rosie.

  Rosie and Quinn both laughed.

  “Church on Sunday, then?” Quinn asked mischievously.

  Rosie turned to him, not shocked by his bluntness. It was one of the things she loved about him. “Absolutely. Lunch after?”

  Quinn picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I'm good with that. Really good.”

  Rosie wasn't prepared for what he did next. He reached forward and easily lifted her from her seat into his lap.

  The two sat like that for a long time, just watching their friends on the dance floor. Eventually, Rosie laid her head on Quinn's shoulder and rested.

  Life was finally working out, Rosie decided. Nate and Jewel were married and happy, Sam and Emily weren't far behind from the looks of things. Their relationship was more solid with each hour, let alone each day. Despite their differences, they worked well together.

  Rosie sat up and glanced sideways to Quinn. He looked just as content as she felt.

  Quinn put a hand on the side of her head and pushed it back toward his shoulder. No words were needed. They were just taking the time they needed to wind down from the prior weeks' excitement.

  Rosie sighed and laid her head back down against Quinn's shoulder. With God and Quinn on her side, she knew everything would turn out all right.

  For better or worse.

  In sickness and in health.

  For the rest of her life.

  A Letter from the Author:

  Dear Reader:

  We've made it, together! The saga “ends” here, at the most beautiful beginning I could have hoped for. I enjoyed writing the final chapter far too much, but was also saddened that this trilogy had to come to an end.

  Quinn Wesley and Rosie Callahan are two of my absolute most favorite characters in this series. I have to admit, originally this book was just going to be about Rosie, because her backstory intrigued me and I felt I owed my readers an explanation about her character. And then someone asked me: “What about Quinn?”. I looked into some of the things I had used him for, and his entire ordeal came to me in a moment of pure genius.

  I hope you enjoyed reading Quinn and Rosie's story just as much as I enjoyed writing it. Car chases, guns and bombs, kidnappings. All things I love to write about, meaning I fit right in when this story took that turn.

  Rosie's journey toward God was definitely an unconventional one, as it took a crisis moment for her to realize what she really needed. I tried not to water down some of the things in their past, just because I know real people fight temptation every day. I hope this book has inspired you to fight your temptations.

  Sadly, this is the final book in this series, but all good things must come to an end. I hope you keep your eyes out for my next book, which is already in the works. The title isn't solidified, so I can't tell you what it will be released as, but I do hope you keep an ear to the ground regarding my work.

  If this book has inspired you to learn more about Jesus, to re-dedicate yourself to Him, to draw closer to Him, or to accept him as your Lord and Savior for the first time, I would love to hear your story! If you want to send me a message or find out more about me, I would love to hear from you, too! You can contact me at:

  contact.mfbooks@gmail.com

  Also, please check out my social networking sites:

  www.facebook.com/MeganFatheree

  &

  www.twitter.com/mef_writer1

  As always, I look forward to hearing from you!

  Thank you for taking this journey through this trilogy with me.

  Megan Fatheree